HOLMDEL - Over the course of half a century, workers at Bell Labs produced several technological advancements that changed the world, including the invention of the transistor radio and cellular phone.

RUMSON - Rumson-Fair Haven won its first Shore Conference boys lacrosse championship last year by defeating Colts Neck in the title game after upsetting pre-tourney favorite Christian Brothers Academy in the semifinals.

HOLMDEL - With six returning starters from a team that went 27-2 a year ago while winning the Shore Conference and Monmouth County Tournaments, St. John Vianney coach Kim Lombardi is looking forward to another fine season.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - SeaStreak ferry commuters
have endured their share of stress lately. With the economy on the brink of a major recession, the glut in the housing market has precipitated a flurry of fear on Wall Street, where many boat riders do business.

TINTON FALLS - The plan for the reuse of Fort Monmouth, once it is disbanded, would bring redevelopment and revitalization to the area, representatives of the organization charged with planning for the future use of the former military base said last week.

HIGHLANDS - St. Patrick's Day may be over, but if you still have a hankerin' to celebrate, there's always the intentionally belated borough St. Patrick's Day Parade. Mayor Anna Little will tell you that this parade is not just a parade, it's a town-wide party - a green tinged, clover laden spring celebration of sorts.

MIDDLETOWN - Although no reason was given, the application by Wawa to construct a 16-bay gas station and convenience store at the intersection of Old Country Road and Route 35 has been withdrawn according to Middletown Planning Director Tony Mercantante.

MIDDLETOWN - The Middletown Municipal Alliance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has found a way to combine fundraising with
protecting the environment. The Alliance joined forces with a nationwide company called The Wireless Alliance that collects old and unwanted cell phones.

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS - It's now just a matter of finalizing a few design details. Then the long-awaited, much-debated skatepark will be coming to town early this summer. June is the targeted month for the opening of the larger than anticipated 80-by-113-foot park, which is to be constructed in the Holly Tree parking lot, said the park's engineer David Marks, of Middletown-based T&M Associates, at the public hearing on the proposed design at the March 12 Borough Council meeting.